Recently Diagnosed and Questions

[needgod]

Good afternoon - and thank you for your time!

I have just been diagnosed with genital herpes through a culture (lab did not say if it is 1 or 2).  I have been with my fiance (both faithfully) for 5 years.  I noticed a small, itchy bump near my anus many months ago, but it healed within a week and I figured it was just due to shaving.  About 1 month ago, my labia started swelling and I developed a cluster of sores (I've never experienced this before) - this is when I was diagnosed.  If I think way back, I remember 7 years ago getting some tiny white bumps around my anus after attempting unprotected anal sex with a former boyfriend (we never actually had anal sex because it was too painful).  The bumps were a bit itchy, but went away on their own.

1 - Is it likely that I got HSV from this former boyfriend? I only had those bumps once and never experienced anything unusual until this year (7 years later).
2 - Is it more likely that I got HSV from my fiance? (After having unprotected sex for 5 years)
3 - What are the chances that my fiance has HSV with no symptoms?  (Again, unprotected sex for 5 years - never noticing anything similar to the "outbreak" I recently experienced). - He will get tested.
4 - I took Valtrex 1g/twice a day for 10 days. Bumps on labia went away and was starting to feel better.  Then, I got my period.  A day after my period, I felt burning and tenderness on my entire vagina.  This has lasted about 3 days (including today) I started taking Valtrex again - is this normal?
5 - Can HSV cause the bladder to feel full and bloating?  
6 - Does HSV interfere with trying to get pregnant?  Will we struggle more with conception because of this?
7 - If you have a C-section, is there still a risk for the baby to come in contact with HSV?

I'm sorry for overwhelming you with questions!  I'm attempting to grasp this whole situation!  It's not something I expected after being in a long-term relationship (although I have since read it is common).

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I hope it goes away soon, too.  It sounds pretty miserable.

Terri

[needgod]

I have not had a blood test yet and was told the lab does not have my sample anymore.  I understand this is important for my fiance and I to have done, so we will.  

I am just hoping that this soreness goes away soon...along with the fullness/cramping I'm feeling in my bladder area.

Thank you, Terri.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Hard to say about the soreness for a month - that would be more typical for new infection than old infection.  However, so much is about awareness of symptoms - once you know you have herpes, everything looks different.

Did you have an IgG antibody test?  That would be very useful in sorting this out.

Terri

[needgod]

Thank you, Terri, for your input.

Is it somewhat normal then for me to still feel soreness/constant burning about a month later?  

Also, if I was infected 7 years ago, would it be common for my first OB to not be bothersome at all....experience nothing painful/noticeable for 7 years...then have a painful OB that is lasting this long?  I haven't had any extra stress or changes.

Thanks again.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If you've just been diagnosed with herpes, the lab may still have you sample and typing could be done.  Knowing your type is essential to knowing about your sexual future and your future with herpes.  

You could have certainly had this before, and it sounds like that is a real possibility, given the description of your symptoms. Another possibility is that your partner has been infected all along and just infected you. Your fiance may not have been infected, but there is just no way to know without IgG antibody testing.  Did you have an IgG antibody test when you had the swab testing done?  If yes, and the test was positive, that likely indicates that your infection is established.  If no antibody and a positive swab test for the same type , then that indicates new infection.  The problem is, so far, your swab test has not been typed.  
HSV can impact the bladder, yes, causing some difficulty starting a stream of urine.  
Herpes does not interfere with the ability to get pregnant.  
If you have an outbreak at the time of labor, you will get a c-section, yes. For most people this eliminates the risk of transmission to the neonate.  As you get closer to delivery, your OB provider will talk to you about these issues in more detail.

Get your fiance tested and if possible, you swab test typed.  If the swab has been tossed out, then you may benefit from an IgG antibody test yourself.


Terri